Residents may lethally remove nonnative reptiles

Florida’s native fish and wildlife are facing a serious threat posed by a variety of invasive species such as this Nile monitor lizard found throughout the state. (FWC image)

(FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE) – Florida’s native fish and wildlife are facing a serious threat posed by a variety of invasive species found throughout the state.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is taking steps to combat the introduction and spread of these nonnative animals. The Commission voted recently to approve a reorganization of rules related to nonnative species.

In addition, the Commission requested FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton and Vice Chairman Robert Spottswood to work on a temporary executive order to limit the importation of potentially high-risk injurious species. This will act as a stopgap measure while staff develops proposed rules.

“As we are in the process of rule development, we need an Executive Order in place to take the pressure off until we are ready to take the final action,” said Spottswood.

Invasive species are animals not native to Florida that cause economic or environmental harm or pose a threat to human safety. More than 500 nonnative species have been reported in Florida. Eighty percent of these have been introduced via the live animal trade with over 120 established in Florida, meaning they are reproducing in the wild.

A 3.10-pound lionfish was harvested in the Keys recently, setting the weight record for the heaviest lionfish caught in the Atlantic Ocean. (Timothy Blasko Image)

“It costs much less to prevent a species from becoming established than it does to control them once they are here,” said Commissioner Joshua Kellam. “What we need to do as a Commission is focus on prevention early on to stop the next wave of invasive species.”

Although invasive species are not a problem unique to Florida, the state’s subtropical climate allows a variety of species, such as pythons, Argentine black and white tegus, green iguanas, monitor lizards, and many invasive freshwater fish species, to thrive.

Most nonnative fish and wildlife find their way into Florida’s habitats through escape or release from the live animal trade. Therefore, regulation is an essential component to prevent nonnative species from taking hold in Florida’s environment.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida documented a Burmese python eating a white-tailed deer that weighed more than the python itself. (Conservancy of Southwest Florida image)

“We are taking proactive steps through regulation to address those species that pose the highest risk to Florida of becoming tomorrow’s invasive species problem,” said Kipp Frohlich, Director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “Actions we take today can prevent other species from becoming established and help avoid problems similar to the ones caused by Burmese python.”

The FWC also encourages the public to safely remove nonnative invasive species from the wild when possible. Nonnative species are not protected, except by anti-cruelty law, and can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission ­no permit required.

People may also lethally remove nonnative reptiles from 22 FWC-managed public lands without a license or permit.

The public can help the FWC control nonnative invasive wildlife by reporting sightings to the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4681), online at IVEGOT1.org or by using the free smartphone app IVEGOT1.